Caster-socket



(No Model.;

G. D. CLARK. GASTER SOCKET.

110.461,070. Patented Oct. 13,1891.

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UNITED STATES VPATENT OFFICE..

GEORGE DIVIGIIT CLARK, OF PLAINVILLE, CONNECTICUT.

CASTER-SOCKET.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 461,070, dated October13, 1891.

Application filed July 15| 1891. Serial No. 399.659. (No model.)

To aZZ whom t 71mg/ concern:

Be itV known that I, GEORGE DWIGHT CLARK, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Plainville, in the county of Hartford and State ofConnecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inCaster- Sockets, ot' which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in sheet-metal sockets for casters,and the ob jects of my improvenents are simplicity and economy inconstruction and the production of a neat and substantial article.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of mycaster-socket. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section of the same.Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the two shells and holding-cap. Fig. 4 isa central section of the partly-formed flange, and Fig. 5 is a detachedsidel elevation of one shell as provided with holding-barbs.

I form the body of the tubular socket in two semi-cylindrical shells (5U, of sheet metal, by striking them up in dies, the same being formedwith a reduced portion 7 and solid upper end 8, as shown in Figs. 2 and5. The lower end of each shell is also turned or flared outwardly alittle, as shown. These two shells are placed together, so as to form atubular socket-body, and a holding-cap 9 is firmly driven upon thereduced portion 7 for holding their upper ends together. l prefer` tomake the external diameter of the holdingcap and tubular socket aboutequal. I se cure the lower end of the shells together by means of theflange lO, with their flared lower ends resting on the upper surface ofthe metal in-the flange which surrounds the central hole 1l, while themetal in the edge or outer part of said flange is doubled upon itselfand rests against the outer surface of said shells, as shown in Fig. 2.

The holding-cap may be easily drawn up "in dies, and the flange may be[irst formed in cup form, as shown in Fig. 4. The cap can be set on theupper end of the shells, as shown in Fig. 3, and the fiaring end of theshells properly placed in the partly-formed flange,

Fig. 4, the same being seated in a die whose surface corresponds withthe desired under surface for the finished flange. The die may beprovided with a post for extending up through the hole ll and into theshells for properly holding them in position. The parts may then bestruck by an upper die to force on the cap and turn in the edge of thefiange to change it from the form shown in Fig. 4to that shown in Figs.l and 2. lf desired, the tiange may be struck by two different upperdies, requiring two operationsfor turning in the edge.

I have shown in Fig. l a spring` 12, formed in one of the shells byslitting a portion thereof, the end of which spring is bent so as toproject within the socket and engage a shoulder on the caster-spindlefor holding it in; but the same is not of my invention, and may be usedor omitted at pleasure without changing the nature of my improvements. Ialso show in Fig. 5 barbs 13, formed by making V-shaped slits in theshells to better secure the socket when it is driven into place for use;but the presence or absence of such barbs is not material to myinvention.

VhiIe I prefer to form the two semi-cylindrical shells of two separatepieces of sheet metal and to connect their upper ends by means of aholding-cap, it is evident that the construction of the flange and themanner of securing it to the tubular sheet-metal body may be the same asherein shown and described, whether said body is split or solid or madein one or two pieces. It is also evident it is not absolutely essentialto employ a holding-flange at the lower end, inasmuch as the holding-capalone will hold the shells together for transportation, tbc., and thatwhen the socket is driven into a hole in the furniture the lower end ofthe shells will be held thereby.

The socket is used in the ordinary manner to receive a caster-spindle,either with the solid upper end serving as the step on which the extremeupper end of the spindle bears or with said upper end of the socketperforated to receive a headed tenen on the upper end of the spindle.

I claim as my inventionl. The herein-described caster-socket, consistingof two semi-cylindrical shells, the holdingcap at their upper ends, andthe liange at .their lower ends, said flange and cap serving ICO tosecure said shells' together, substantiallyportion at their upper endsand the holding- 1o Cap secured upon said reduced portion, substantiallyas described, and for the purpose specified.

GEORGE DWIGHT CLARK.

Witnesses:

JAMES SHEPARD, HLMER SVENsoN.

